Theodore (Ted) Reynolds

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Theodore (Ted) Reynolds, 79, of Gypsum passed away Nov. 22 at his home after a lengthy illness.He was born May 20, 1933 in Glenwood Springs to Floyd (Shorty) and Raye Reynolds. Ted lived in Edwards through his childhood. He worked on area ranches at a very young age, working all the duties that come with ranching and farming. He herded cows up on Piney, staying in cow camps and listening to the coyotes howl.Ted attended grade school in Edwards. He walked over a mile to the one-room schoolhouse with his brothers and sister. Ted worked in the mill at the Gilman mine for a number of years.He married Nettie May Hurt in 1957. After he left the Gilman Mill he went back to working at the local ranches for a few years, punching cows and working the hay fields up Canyon Creek and Burns. He then joined the lumber industry. He worked for Western Slope Lumber Company, which later became Kaibab Industries. He cut and skidded the trees by workhorse up on Muddy Creek and Piney and hauled them to the lumber camp to be transported to the saw mill. He later became the planer foreman, where he stayed until forming his own businesses, T&T Excavating Service, where Ted purchased a backhoe, a loader and a dump truck. He developed properties in Salida and local subdivisions and mobile home parks, including Mountain View Trailer Court in Gypsum. He took a lot of pride in maintaining and operating the trailer courts and Eagle River Storage in Gypsum.Ted’s health forced him to get out of the dust from excavating. However, he kept his equipment. In more recent years, his son, Mark, has been able to maintain the properties.Ted spent many years serving the local community. He served as a member of the Cedar Hill Cemetery Board of Directors and was president for a number of years. He opened and closed graves for many years. Ted was a certified asbestos inspector. He also served on the Gypsum Town Council and was a leader for the Cub and Boy Scouts of America.Ted enjoyed fishing and picnicking with family on Gypsum Creek. He also liked hunting and camping in the high country. He enjoyed four-wheeling with family and friends in Colorado and Utah. Ted enjoyed reading Western novels and watching Western movies on the television.Ted is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nettie May Reynolds; sons Mark (Jennifer) Reynolds of Gypsum and Marvin (Jaunita) Reynolds of Alamosa; daughters Marcia (Jim) Parmenter of Gypsum and Marla Gilley of Clifton; and brothers Royce (Lois) Reynolds of Lakewood, Donald (Duke) Reynolds of Sheridan, Ore., and Felix (Louise) Reynolds of Clifton.Preceding him in death are his parents, Floyd (Shorty) and Alice Raye Reynolds; brothers Athol (Pete) Reynolds, Myron (Jim) Reynolds, Walt Reynolds, Morris Reynolds, John L. Reynolds, Louis (Taps) Reynolds; and sister Evelyn (Reynolds) Main.Ted enjoyed spending time with his 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. They always came by to visit with him and grandma. Some drew pictures and wrote poems for him, all of which he posted on the wall. The children loved to ride with Grandpa in his pickup and on his four-wheeler. They also loved hearing stories of his younger life as a “hillbilly.”In the later years, Ted used his electric wheelchair when outside. Riding it to friends and neighbors, including his mobile home park and the Highway 6 store for coffee and a quick visit.For the past 18 years, Ted enjoyed going to Arizona for the winter months. Until recently, he felt as though he would be able to get there this winter.A memorial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Calvary Church at 35 Lindbergh Drive in Gypsum with Pastor Eric Collom officiating. Ted’s ashes will be spread in the Dome Peak and Gypsum areas.In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Alpine Home Health Care and Alpine Hospice at 1517 Blake Ave. No. 100B Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.